How to Improve Your Fundability in 90 Days: A Founder’s Action Plan for Funding for Startups

If you're reading this, you probably just took our Fundability Assessment.  If you haven’t, we would highly recommend you spare a few mins to do it first and come back; we’ll wait. Trust us, this read makes way more sense after that. 

Now that you’ve got your score, you’re probably wondering: What exactly do I fix? And how fast can I do it? 

Before you even think about pitch decks, make sure your numbers can survive a close look. Funding for startups rarely moves forward if the basics aren’t sorted. 

Here’s what to do in the first 30 days: 

1. Clean Up Your Books 

Investors won’t dig through chaos. If your accounts are messy, they'll assume the business is too. 

• Let’s say, limit the use of spreadsheets to a very minimal amount just for quick calculations or tracking numbers. It’s fine for those small tasks, but relying on it for everything can slow down your processes. 

• Switching to streamlined accounting software or a virtual bookkeeping service is recommended. 

• Reconcile all accounts. 

• Categorize transactions consistently. 

If you can’t explain your numbers in two minutes, you're not ready for funding for startups. 

2. Prepare Core Financial Reports 

You don’t need investor polish yet, but you do need 

• Profit & Loss Statement 

• Balance Sheet 

• Cash Flow Statement 

These reports form the financial snapshot any investor (or due diligence process) will expect when you start looking for funding for startups. 

3. Stay Compliant with UAE Tax Laws 

In the UAE, being VAT and Corporate Tax compliant isn’t just good practice; it’s a legal must. 

• Make sure all tax filings are submitted. 

• Clear up any pending penalties. 

• Register/deregister where needed based on revenue thresholds. 

Missed filings or minute errors are a red flag for investors when considering funding for startups. 

4. Understand Your Financial Position 

Get clear on: 

• Monthly burn rate 

• Runway (how long your current cash lasts) 

• Break-even point 

• Margins and high-cost areas 

Knowing your own numbers builds confidence, both yours and the investors, when seeking funding for startups. 

Week 1–4 Checklist 

• Fix or outsource bookkeeping 

• Generate and review key financial reports 

• Ensure VAT and CT compliance 

• List key metrics: runway, burn, break-even 

• Flag and fix red zones 

Numbers alone don’t secure funding for startups, you also need a clear, confident narrative about what your startup does, why now, and how it grows. 

1. Tighten Your Business Model 

Can you explain your model in 30 seconds? 

• What problem are you solving? 

• How do you make money? 

• What’s your path to profitability? 

Be specific about what you do, how you earn, and who pays; investors don’t fund vague ideas when considering funding for startups. 

2. Align the Team 

Investors bet on people. Make sure your core team: 

• Has relevant experience 

• Covers key business areas (tech, sales, finance) 

• Knows their role in the next 6–12 months 

Even if it’s a small team, show balance and intent. 

3. Sharpen Your Traction Metrics 

What progress have you made? 

• Revenue growth 

• Active users 

• Repeat purchases 

• Partnerships 

• Waitlist size 

Present milestones with timelines. Real traction speaks louder than vision slides. 

Week 5–8 Checklist 

• Clarify and document your business model 

• Outline your team’s roles and strengths 

• Track and format traction metrics 

• Highlight progress over time 

Now, it’s about signaling to the outside world and potential investors that you’re ready. 

1. Organize a Data Room 

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be clean. 

Minimum docs to include: 

• Pitch deck 

• Financial reports (last 12 months) 

• Cap table 

• Certificate of incorporation and license 

• Customer contracts (if applicable) 

• Tax compliance documents 

2. Create a Fundraising Strategy 

Even if you're not actively raising, have clarity on: 

• How much capital you’ll raise 

• What milestones it’ll fund 

• When you'll raise 

By mapping this out early, you’ll know exactly how much you need, why you need it, and what it’ll unlock. So, when it’s time to raise funding for startups, you lead the conversation with confidence. 

3. Run a Dry Pitch 

Test your story with peers, advisors, or even potential investors (low stakes). Feedback now is better than rejection later. 

Week 9–12 Checklist 

• Set up your investor data room 

• Write out your fundraising strategy 

• Test your pitch and adjust 

• Run a final review of all metrics and documents 

Fundability improves when your operations, financials, and team are aligned and investor-ready. That’s the work that earns serious conversations, not just a flashy pitch. 

So, investors don’t hesitate. In 90 days, you can go from “not ready yet” to “let’s talk.” 

And if you're building in the UAE, this work also sets you up to avoid fines, handle taxes smartly, and grow with fewer roadblocks. 

Start by checking your Fundability Score; it’s free, fast, and comes with instant feedback.